Signaling system for vehicles



Feb. 9, 1937. J MELVIN I 2,069,895 I SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES FiledAug. 15, 1955 3nnemor' /(Ittorneg I Patentecl Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATESPATENT orrrcrz,

Application August 15, 1935, Serial In Canada February 13, 1935 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in electric signaling systems fornovel combination of illuminated signals with objects as follows:

First, to provide a combined semi-automatically and semi-manuallycontrolled system for visibly signaling to following traflic theintended course of the vehicle, the intention to pause or decelerate orto regularly proceed, and to indicate Whether the vehicle is in motionor at rest.

Second, in conjunction with av system specified in the first object toprovide manually controlled means for synchronously signaling theintended course of the vehicle to following traffic and to persons ortraific in the general area ahead of the position of the vehicle whoseprospective movementswould be influenced by a preindication of itsproposed path.

Third, in conjunction with a system specified in the first object toprovide manually set means as a constant or normal indication of theintent of the vehicle to pursue a straight ahead or regular reversingthe signals denoting course or to follow an obvious path (main route)though it may be curved.

Fourth, in conjunction with a system specified synchronouslytie-energizing or interrupting the constancy of the signal mentioned inthe third object with and during the manually controlled energization ofthe signals denoting intent to turn or deviate in either direction fromthe main path.

Fifth, in conjunction with a system specified in the first object toprovide means for automatically pursuance of a regular course and intentto pause or decelerate controlled by the position of the service brakeor other device incident to the speed control of the vehicle.

Sixth, in conjunction with a system'specified in the first object toprovide means for automatically de-energizing all signals incident tothe operation of the vehicle controlled by the setting of the vehicleagainst motion. I

Seventh, in conjunction with a system specified in the first object toprovide independent manually controlled means for indicating amotionless state of the vehicle. I l l Eighth, to provide a system ofthe class specified which will be simple, efiective, and. inexpensive toproduce. f

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafterapparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter vehicles consistingof a zontal partitions 2|.

fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing andspecifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and: t

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an automobile including thefenders and running.

In their present embodiment the signals consist v of the left and rightfore signal boxes l0 and Il,

respectively, mounted, as for example, on the respective front fendersl2 and I3; and of the after signal box l4 mounted, as for example, onthe left rear fender l5. In the fore signal .boxes are openings formedin representation of curves terminating outwardly in points, suggestiveof-direction, but it is understood that for this formation may besubstituted other characters such as arrows or characteristicinscription. The openings are closed by suitable transparent ortranslucent plates l6 and II, respectively, secured in any approvedmanner and preferably colored red.

Located, in the-left box ID in such a position that its rays aredirected through the openingl6 is an incandescent lamp l8, and similarlyin the right box His a lamp I9. I I

The after signal box I4 is divided into compartments by means ofvertical partitionszlland hori- In the portion of the face plate of thebox l4 lying over the central compartment which is separated from theothers by the vertical partitions is a vertically elongated openingclosed by a transparent or translucent plate 2|, and located behind thisplate is an incandescent lamp 22.

In the opaque face plate over the upper corner compartments are formedopenings-similar and corresponding to those inthe fore signal boxes, andthese openings are closed by transparent or translucent plates 23 and 24behind which aremounted incandesent lamps 25 and 26, re-, spectively. Inthe face plate over the lower corner compartments are round openingsclosed by transparent or translucent plates 21 and 28, respectively, andbehind plate 21 is an incandescent lamp 29 and similarly behind plate 28is an brake is applied the position of the switch 40 is' preferablycolored red as indicative of danger, and

the plates 21 and 28 are similarly colored, while the plate 2| iscontrastingly colored, preferably green, as indicated.

Suitably and conveniently located in reach of the vehicle operator, suchas on the instrument board 3| is a fourway manually operated selectorswitch 32 having poles 33, 34, 35, 33 and "off position 31, andsimilarly mounted, is a manually operated single pole switch 38.

Connected to the service brake represented by the convention pedal' 39is an automatically operated reversing switch 40, and connected totheemergency brake represented by the lever 4lis an automaticallycontrolled single pole switch 42. Represented by 43 is a storage batterywhich may be the regular vehicle servicebattery.

The pole 36, which is selectively connective separately with either ofthe poles 33, 34, and 35, is connected through to the positive pole ofthe battery through the switches 42 and 40 by means of the conductors44, 45, and 46. The pole 34 is connected to the lamp 22 by means of theconductor 41, and the reversing switch is connected to the lamp 29 bymeans of the conductor 48. When the service brake 39 is released thereversing switch 40 is in the position to transmit current through tothe pole 36, assuming that the switch 42 is in normal closed position aswhen the emergency brake is released, but when the service reversed sothat the current is transmitted to the lamp 29.

The pole 33 is connected to the lamp 25 by means of the conductor 49,and in the same circuit is the lamp l8 which is connected to theconductor 49 by means of the conductor 50. The pole 35 is connected tothe lamp 26 by means of -the conductor 5!, and in the circuit is thelamp l9 which is connected to the conductor 5| by means of the conductor52. A: With "the switch 32 set to carry the current from the pole 36 tothe pole 34, assuming that both.,brak es are released, the lamp 22 willbe energizedand, observed as a vertically elongated green light atfliet'rear of the vehicle whereby the intent to pursue a straight orregular course is indicated to following traflic. Whenthe vehicle isabout to be turned to the left the switch 32 is thrown to the pole 33,which, it wi1l be observed,

is to the left oi the pole 34 so as to coincide with the direction to betaken, whereby the lamps l8 and 25 are energized and the lamp 22de-energized Similarly when the vehicle' is to "make a rightIturn theswitch is thrown to the I pole 35, at the rightuof the pole 34, wherebythe lamps l9 and 26 are "energized and the lamp 22 de-energized, Thus itis evident that the intended direction oftheyehicle is signaled bothinadvance of and to theiear thereof.

On application of the service brake 39 the switch 43 is reversed so thatthe current -is diverted through the conductor 43- to energize the lamp29, This ltpis what is-usually termed astop light, and automatically.indicates to following trafllc that e vehicle is about to'eitherdecelerate or stop. Obviously when the lamp 29 is energized which everone of the lamps 22, 25 or 25 had been previously functioning isautomatically extinguished, and consequently the intent' .claimed asnew,-is:

to slacken speed or to stop is emphasized thereby. Itis evident thatwhen the service brake is released the order of energizationautomatically reverts.

When a vehicle is brought to a halt it is customary to set the emergencyor hand brake against accidental movement from its stationary position.switch 42. is automaticallyopened with the result that all lamps areextinguished without the In setting the emergency brake the necessity ofturning the switch 32 to "01! posi- I tion.

This signaling system is. adapted for twentyfour hour service, all thelamps'thus far men-.

tioned having current consumption comparative to the lamp inaconventional 'stop light", and their brilliancy may be promoted by theuse of reflectors, as is well known in the art, in order that thesignals may be observed readily in daylight. 1

The lamp 30, which may be of lower current consumption than the otherlamps, is for parking purposes at night time, that is to merely show thepresence of a vehicle and that such vehicle is at a stand-still. Thisparking lamp is connected direct to the battery through the manuallyoperated switch 33 by means of the conductors 53, 54 and 45. It may beturned on and off at will by closing or opening the switch 38.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kinddescribed and for a the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. inventionto the exact form, herein shown and described, but itis desired to include all such as properly come within the scopeclaimed.

Having thus describedthe In a signaling system forautomobiles, a pair offront direction signal lamps, a tail light bank including a warninglamp, a right direction lamp, a left direction lamp, and a-stop lamp,said bank of lamps being grounded in multiple to the automobile, thesaid right direction lamp invention, what is It is not. therefore,desired to confine the,

being conductively connected to the ,right front direction signal lamp,the said left direction lamp being conductively connected to the leftfront direction signal 1amp,'a battery and battery circuit, a brakepedal operated. reversing switch, a three-point pivot switch, anemergency brake roperated' switch conductively connected to the pivot ofthe three-point switch, said reversing switch conductively connectingthe stop lamp in the battery circuit in one position and conductivelyconnecting'theemergency brake operated,

switch with the battery circuit in the other position, aconductiveconnection from one point of the three-point switch to theconnection between the left front direction signal lamp and the leftdirection lamp at the rear of the machine, a conductive connectionbetween a second point of the three-point switch and the connectionbetween the right front direction signal lamp and the right'directionlamp at the rear of the machinaand a conductive connection between thethird point of .thethree-point switch and the warning lamp.

EDWARDLJQHN

